Sivaraajh said for the past five months he has been meeting with the people of Cameron Highlands to understand their problems and to find out what they expected from the party and BN.
“I’m meeting the people in small groups. I don’t do programmes or bring people from KL.
“In Camerons, you must be approachable. If you are surrounded by people, they will avoid you,” he told FMT.
When questioned about the tussle between the People’s Progressive Party (MyPPP) and MIC for the seat, he said he left that matter to Prime Minister Najib Razak and MIC president Dr S Subramaniam to decide.
However, he said as far as MIC was concerned, the Cameron Highland’s seat is a MIC seat as its former party president, G Palanivel, had secured a win in the 13th general eection (GE13).
“Even at our AGM, the PM had agreed and clearly stated that MIC can contest in the same seat but to ensure it fields a winnable candidate and someone accepted by all races,” said Sivaraajh.
When questioned about MyPPP president M Kayveas’s pursuit to contest the seat, Sivaraajh said: “Any logical-thinking man would know that this is one of the four seats MIC has won. So, why would we want to give away a winnable seat?”
According to a news report in New Straits Times today, Kayveas said he wished to meet Subramaniam next week to discuss the seat issue.
Kayveas said despite him meeting the health minister some time back, there had been no progress.
“I will arrange a meeting with Subramaniam next week to discuss the matter. There is no problem between the both of us. It is only concerning the Cameron Highlands’ parliamentary constituency seat.
“It is my responsibility as MyPPP president to meet him (Subramaniam) and see what we can do.
“I want to inform him that I have been serving the constituency for a long time (since 2015).
“Maybe we can swap seats or look into other suggestions, but if MIC decides to be adamant, then let Prime Minister Najib Razak decide (on the matter).”
DAP’s candidate for Cameron Highlands in the last general election, M Manogaran, said given a choice between MIC and MyPPP, it was likely that voters would prefer MIC to contest for BN.
“For BN supporters, they prefer MIC as the party has a track record there although they did not do much, other than give away the usual money and goodies.”
He said BN supporters in Cameron Highlands also perceived Kayveas as being arrogant.
“So, although they are not too happy with MIC they also don’t like Kayveas. Between the two, they will prefer MIC.”
Manogaran also claimed that it was likely that whether MIC or MyPPP contested in Cameron Highlands, BN would still lose the seat in the next general election.
“On my rounds there, it looks like there is a further shift in support in favour of the opposition, except that the farmers fear a backlash if they’re seen supporting the opposition.”
PSM’s candidate for Cameron Highlands B Suresh agreed with Manogaran that voters would rather have MIC represent BN in the constituency.
“I can only tell you based on the negative comments I’ve received. It seems as though people hate Kayveas and MyPPP much more,” he told FMT.
“Although they hate MIC as well, they don’t really hate Sivaraajh, maybe because he’s a new person.”
Suresh also said he had heard many voters from Cameron Highlands claiming that Kayveas was arrogant.
“My personal experience with him is that he’s a humble man, but the voters tell me differently.”